Commercial EV Charger Installation: Planning, Power, and Permits for Utah Businesses
Commercial EV charger installation looks simple from the parking lot: a pedestal, a cable, a parking space. Behind that pedestal is an electrical project, and the power available to your building usually decides what you can install, what it costs, and how long it takes. This guide walks Utah property owners and business operators through planning, power, permitting, and hiring.
The short version: figure out who will charge, check your electrical capacity before you pick equipment, and bring in a licensed commercial electrical contractor early.
Start with who will use the chargers
Different users need different equipment, so the first question is not which charger to buy but who it is for.
Employees. Vehicles sit for hours, so slower charging is usually enough.
Customers and visitors. Stays are shorter and vary a lot, so the number of ports and the turnover matter.
Tenants. In multi-tenant buildings, you may need to decide who pays for power and how it is metered.
Fleet vehicles. Predictable schedules and larger batteries can mean more power per vehicle.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center suggests workplaces and multifamily properties typically look at Level 1 and Level 2 charging, while public charging hosts consider Level 2 and DC fast charging. In plain terms, Level 2 is the common choice for parked vehicles, and DC fast charging is built for quick stops and needs far more power.
Power is the part that decides everything
Before anything else, someone has to answer: how much spare capacity does the building actually have? That includes the utility service, the transformer, the main distribution equipment, and the panel that would feed the chargers.
A load calculation by a qualified electrician or engineer shows what the building uses now and what is left.
If the spare capacity is not there, the project may need a panel upgrade, new distribution equipment, or a service upgrade coordinated with the utility.
Load management software can share limited power across several chargers, which can avoid or shrink a service upgrade.
Conduit is cheap to install while trenches are open and expensive to add later, so plan for more ports than you need on day one.
Our guides to commercial electrical installation and future-proofing commercial electrical infrastructure cover the same planning logic for the rest of the building.
Site layout and parking
Distance to the power source. The farther the chargers are from the panel, the more trenching or boring, wire, and restoration work you pay for.
Parking design. Cable reach, space orientation, and how cars will actually park all affect where the equipment goes.
Lighting and safety. Chargers need to be visible and safe to use at night.
Signage and markings. State and local rules may apply, and clear signage cuts down on blocked spaces.
Accessibility. The AFDC notes that accessibility guidance deserves attention early, and some incentive programs and local rules require it.
Winter. Snow removal and where the snow gets pushed can damage pedestals, so protect them with bollards or a layout that keeps plows away.
Networked or not
Networked chargers connect to the internet, which allows payment, usage tracking, remote monitoring, and customer support. Non-networked chargers are simpler and cheaper but offer none of that. The AFDC points out that hardware using the Open Charge Point Protocol, version 1.6 or higher, lets you switch networks later without replacing equipment. If you go networked, plan for internet or cellular service at the site and ask what ongoing network fees apply.
What drives commercial EV charger installation cost
The number and type of chargers.
Whether the building needs a panel or service upgrade.
Distance from the panel and what is in the way, such as asphalt, concrete, or landscaping.
Labor, which the AFDC identifies as the largest expense in a typical installation. Per-charger costs generally fall as the number of chargers at a site goes up.
Permits, inspections, and any utility fees.
Networking and software fees.
Signage, striping, lighting, and protective bollards.
Incentives, which can offset costs but change often. Some federal programs have changed or ended, so confirm what is currently available with a tax professional and your utility before you count on any of them.
A real number comes from a site assessment, not a general rule. Anyone quoting a firm price without seeing your electrical room and your parking lot is guessing.
Permits, codes, and licensing in Utah
Electrical work in a commercial building follows the National Electrical Code, published by NFPA as NFPA 70, which includes provisions for EV charging equipment. Utah and local jurisdictions adopt a specific edition, so confirm which one applies with your local building department. Permits and inspections go through that department, and our guide to commercial renovation permits in Salt Lake City shows how that process usually works.
The AFDC advises that charging stations be installed by a licensed electrical contractor. You can check a Utah license through the state's Division of Professional Licensing before you sign anything.
The installation process, step by step
Site assessment and load calculation. Confirm capacity and where the chargers can go.
Utility conversation. Ask early whether the utility needs to be involved and how long it takes.
Equipment and network selection. Choose chargers that fit your users, your power, and your plan for payment and data.
Design and permitting. Submit plans and get the permit before work starts.
Equipment orders. Order chargers and any switchgear early, since lead times vary.
Construction. Trenching or boring, conduit, wiring, panel work, mounting, and restoration of the surface.
Inspection. Pass the required electrical inspections.
Commissioning. Test the chargers, set up the network, and add signage and striping.
Maintenance plan. Decide who inspects, cleans, and repairs the equipment after it is running.
Common mistakes
Buying chargers before checking electrical capacity.
Planning only for today's number of vehicles and not leaving room to add more.
Ignoring network and maintenance costs.
Placing chargers far from the panel to save a parking spot, then paying for it in trenching.
Leaving the utility out of the conversation until late in the project.
Forgetting how snow removal affects the layout.
Frequently asked questions
How long does commercial EV charger installation take?
A small installation with spare capacity can move quickly once permits and equipment are in hand. Projects that need a service upgrade or utility work can take much longer, and equipment lead times are often what sets the schedule.
Do I need a utility upgrade?
It depends on how much capacity is available and how many chargers you want. A load calculation answers it, and load management can sometimes reduce the size of the upgrade.
Can I add more chargers later?
Usually, yes, if you plan for it. Installing larger conduit and reserving panel or switchgear space now is far cheaper than redoing it later.
Who maintains the chargers?
That depends on your ownership model. Site-owned equipment is maintained by the site owner or a service contract, while third-party-owned equipment is often maintained by the network operator. Settle this before you sign.
Plan it before you buy it
If you are considering chargers for your building, talk to Diamond Ridge or call (801) 341-9979. You can read about our commercial electrical services and how we work alongside the rest of a project team.
This article is general information about commercial EV charger installation, not engineering, legal, or tax advice. Codes, incentives, utility requirements, and costs vary by site and change over time.
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